(290) Chuseok and leap month
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By Janet Shin
This year’s “Chuseok” is coming up fast, as the holiday lands on the much earlier 2nd week of September according to the solar year. Known as the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, many families will do their holiday shopping to celebrate the sooner-than-expected holiday. But have you ever wondered why certain lunar years have major holidays at the beginning of the month and why others do not?
Studying leap months is crucial to understanding how the seasons ― further broken down into 24 divisions of the year ― are determined. It is the primary focus of saju and may also forecast year-to-year climate fluctuations.
For example, why are certain years more humid? Why does summer end earlier during certain years? Which years will have more rain or which years will most likely suffer droughts?
To answer these questions, it is fundamental to study astronomical geography. Since ancient times, people putt a high emphasis in understanding the calendar. Nowadays, we depend on technology to tell us what time and day it is, such as a computer or smart phone applications. However, telling time had been achieved long ago even before these fancy gadgets even existed by proficient astronomers centuries ago. These time-tellers were highly valued, as some rulers thought their knowledge could sway the destiny of an entire kingdom.
A leap month is to compensate the gap days between lunar and solar calendars. One lunar month has 29.53 days, which is 354.36 days a year, while one solar year has 365.24 days. From this 12 lunar months will be shorter by 11 days than a solar year. In order to make up for the difference, it is required to add one month for every three years or three leap months every 8 years. By doing this, the lunar and solar calendars balance out.
Furthermore, extra years are added when there are gaps that cause seasonal discrepancies. The years with a leap month will have 13 months in a lunar calendar. The most accurate solution is to have seven leap months in 19 years, but even then, which months to assign the extra months are not consistent.
In 2009, the leap month was in May, while in 2012, it was in March and it will be in September this year. The next leap year will be in May 2017. When the two same months repeat, the second becomes the leap month. This year the leap month is from October 24 to November 21 of the solar calendar.
It is worthwhile to observe the cycles of the calendars and the flow of seasons each year. It is not superstitious at all, although some have considered it just a traditional custom and nothing more.
Traditionally it was considered a free, void and rotten month. Since it’s an extra month, it was assumed the heaven, earth and god would rest and would not watch over the people during this period. Therefore, it was believed that any blasphemous deeds during this freebee month would not been seen by the gods, and thus avoid any of their punishments. People may move the graves of their ancestors, do cremation, make coffins and prepare shrouds for the probable deaths. Moving ancestors’ graves and taking actions for their parents’ death are pivotal events and must be done with utmost caution. If people wanted to do something sneaky or inappropriate, they would select a day discreetly in order not to avoid any divine retribution from those above.
Other activities they may do include building or repairing their houses and move jars of sauce, which were seldom done during the regular months. This was to prevent any possible infectious diseases and disasters.
Some villages celebrate a special event during leap months to prevent any possible misfortune. Jangseung, also known as a Korean totem pole, and red beans are often used to ward off evil energy. Many people also go to temples to offer a special Buddhist prayer, which was believed to be very effective.
On the contrary, joyous events, such as weddings, are not recommended to hold during leap months.
May and October, as well as spring and fall, are the preferred months for soon-to-be married couples to have their wedding ceremony. Since October this year is the leap month, people are confused whether to have it or not.
I am not against the idea of skipping certain periods if it avoids certain unfortunate events, but doing so shouldn’t fetter discretion either. People shouldn’t be misled by any unsubstantiated assertions.
Are you interested in learning more about the ancient Chinese teaching about the “Four Pillars of Destiny”? For further information, visit Janet’s website at www.fourpillarskorea.com, contact her at 010-5414-7461 or email janetshin@hotmail.com. The writer is the author of “Life’s Secrets”
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